I haven’t personally looked at studios outside of open houses I see in my hood, the ones I’ve seen are super tiny and very expensive. But I’d look at everything. Also be prepared to be turned down by competing renters that might be just some single rich person.
If you’re open to a roommate you’ll get more for your money and might find it easier to get established. We did that for 3 years before getting married then later took over the whole place. As long as you keep getting promoted/raises and your rent can only go up by 1-3% annually then eventually it’ll swing in your favor. We played the long game.
Also with roommates there are sometimes situations where you can find something rent controlled and below market rate when someone else is already living there but your much less likely to find that with studios or property management companies.
One downside is in the unlikely situation that you’re evicted (hard to do in most rent controlled houses) and your name isn’t on the check then you’re not protected or paid out to the same extent as the rent payer is.
Oakland will be cheaper and more space and is becoming fairly trendy. But then you have to commute and it’s a totally different vibe than SF. And I believe annual rent increases are allowed there. Home invasions are more rampant there too which freaks me the fuck out.
The Oakland commute isn’t too bad though imo, I’d probably choose commuting from oakland over north or South Bay if living in SF wasn’t an option.
I will say, all complaints aside if you can make it work SF is awesome. I love that I can be at the beach one day, skiing the next, tech and biotech world hubs. Museums and science academy, parks in every neighborhood. There’s a definite energy here. Not NY hustle but CA hustle. Just watch out for the poo on the sidewalks.
Edit: If you both end up working in/near soma and don’t mind living on an island then Alameda is pretty underrated imo. I have coworkers who bike and ride the ferry over. The downtown is cute and safer feeling than nearby Oakland, more family friendly.
Also treasure island just got approved for a ton of construction for the first time. But it might be a couple years out and probably expensive cause new homes.